(Feb. 17, 2011)--The UTSA Honors College will host the 11th annual "Great Conversation!," a signature fundraising event that supports Honors College scholarships, at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 22 at the Institute of Texan Cultures. The evening will feature more than 35 tables with various discussion topics related to science, politics, leisure, education, business and the arts.

The Honors College relies heavily on the funds generated by the event to provide critical scholarship support for its students. Established in 2002, the college's current enrollment is nearly 800 students. The need for additional scholarship support is significant to remain competitive and retain Honors College students at UTSA.

Benjamin Barkley from Houston is one of many students who have benefited from the scholarships. Barkley interned at the Center for American Progress in Washington, D.C., as a UTSA Archer Fellow. He is an honors studies major, a major offered exclusively through the Honors College. Fluent in three languages and a member of the UTSA debate team, Barkley credits his achievements to the support he has received at UTSA.

"I feel that the Honors College provides me an opportunity to serve others and demonstrate a positive example of what it means to be a young college student," said Barkley.

Barkley currently is interning fulltime during the 82nd legislative session. He is assigned to Rep. Lois W. Kolkhorst, who serves Texas House District 13, which includes Austin, Grimes, Walker and Washington counties.

"Great Conversation!" began as a lecture series under the leadership of Harriett Romo, UTSA professor of sociology and director of the UTSA Mexico Center, and a small group of community members. After a few lectures, they decided to change the format, but kept the interesting topics and added interaction so that attendees could engage in the conversation and exchange thoughts, observations and ideas, all under the leadership of an expert.

Table conversation leaders this year will include Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff speaking on the science of poker; Johnny Hernandez, chef and owner of La Gloria, leading discussion on the great street foods of Mexico; and JoAnn Boone, president of Rio San Antonio Cruises, leading discussion on how the River Walk contributes to San Antonio.

For more information or to sponsor an Honors College student or table at the event, call 210-458-4488 or visit the Great Conversation! website.

Did You Know?

UTSA researcher is a star behind the cloud

A revolution in cloud computing is underway, and Ravi Sandhu believes it will be much bigger than the PC and Internet revolutions that have already changed the way we live. Sandhu, director of the UTSA Institute for Cyber Security, says UTSA is taking a leadership role in tackling three fundamental cloud technology problems: how to build and operate the cloud, how to use it profitably for diverse applications and how to keep it secure.

Sandhu, the Lutcher Brown Distinguished Chair in Cyber Security in the College of Sciences, and Ram Krishnan, assistant professor of electrical engineering in the UTSA College of Engineering, are funded by a $500,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to improve cloud security.

Did you know? Sandhu, a world-renowned cybersecurity expert, holds 30 patents, has authored more than 250 papers and been cited more than 30,000 times.

This documentary, presented by the San Antonio Film Festival, documents the experience of re-entry after incarceration. The film features Michael Gilbert, associate professor in the department of criminal justice and director of the Office of Community and Restorative Justice program at UTSA.
Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle

Discover resources and strategies for teaching Tejano history and culture and get a special educator's tour of the new long-term exhibit, Los Tejanos.
Institute of Texan Cultures, 801 E. Cesar E. Chavez Blvd.

This annual symposium is an opportunity to discuss Texas higher education issues and trends with Texas higher education scholars, state and local government officials, students, and campus and local community members.
Downtown Campus

Join President Ricardo Romo, The Spirit of San Antonio Marching Band, students, faculty and staff to light the monument at the Main Campus entrance at the stroke of midnight.
John Peace Boulevard Entrance, Main Campus

The UTSA Alumni Association hosts this annual gala honoring the Alumna of the Year, Alumnus of the Year and the Alumnus of the Year Lifetime Achievement award winners.
Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Spa, 9800 Hyatt Resort Dr.

Meet a Roadrunner

After graduation, Queretaro native founded a music label recognized by SXSW

UTSA's Mission

The University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.

UTSA's Vision

To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.

UTSA's Core Values

We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.